Carrying case



June 26, 1945. J QBERMAIER 2,379,031

CARRYING CASE Original Filed Feb. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 YNVENTOR.

June 26, 1945. J. A. OBERMAIER 2,379,031

CARRYING CASE Original Filed Feb. 16, 1938 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 INVENTOK.

@227? (Z Obermer (9,421, W law/0% Patented June 26, 1945 UiNITE-D STATES PATENT OFFICE I CARRYING ,CASE

John A. '0l1ermaier,Chicago, Ill. Original application February :16, 1938, Serial -,No.

190,721. Divided and this applicationvJune 6,

1942, Serial No. 446,044 v 2 Claims. (Cl.'206--l'6) 1 E'l'his invention relates to new and useful improveme'ntsin carrying cases, and'has particular relation ,to an improved carrying case for instrumerits of the type that have a coil, a pointer, and terminalmeans.

Whilethe particular embodiment of the invention which sIxshall describe herein in connection with ithedrawings is a carrying case for pyrometers,ait is 'to be understood that it is not limited tosrsuchuuse'loutmay be employed with other instruments as suitable and desired.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 190,721, filed February 16, 1938, now Patent No. 2,285,457.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a case having a mounting fo'r mechanica'illy supporting the instrument or a portion thereof, and .means for short circuiting or closing the circuit; for example, for the meter coil whereby effectively to dampen oscillation of the pointer of theiristrumentWhen theinstrument is in place in thecase.

It :is also an object of the invention to provide a case adapted for supporting an instrument and handlepart therefor, and a detachable extension arm,:-and further adapted to accommodate a thermocouple or other part on the extension arm w'hilein place on said'arm and angularly disposed relative thereto. 7

A further object of the present invention is to provide a case having the features set forth, and further provided with compartments adapted for the :reception of various forms of thermocouples or other parts for employment with the instrumerit.

TFurther objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description 'takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational vi'ewof a pyrometer withwhichtthe:carrying case of the present invention is adapted for use;

, Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal detail section on an enlarged 'scaletaken on :the line 2-:2 of Figure :1; I

Figure "3 is atop plan view of a carrying case embodying :the present invention, with the cover of 'the case in open position; and

Figure 4 -is a longitudinal section through the carryingicase-taken-on the line 4- l of Figure .3.

Referring now to .the drawings, theillustrated form of instrument with which the illustrated form vofcarrying caseis adapted for use ,is shown as comprising .an indicator l0 having .an .extension-arm I] .upon theendof which a plurality of different types of thermocouples are adaptedfor intercliangeable mounting.

The indicator in comprises a metallic vcasing 'Lsecured .to an insulatingibase VI 8 by screws 19. The .casing ill serves ,as a housing for va imeter which rnay be of any conventional .galvanometer or mini-voltmeter construction, such, :ior example as the general type ofconstruction shown and described in my Patent ,No. -1,59'7,327,, issued August .24, .1926. Themeter includes .a pointer Zlland-a pair of "scales 2| -andll. The scale 1| is =calibrated for high temperature indications, and the. scale ,22ris calibrated vforlow temperature indications (as will hereinafter tappear. Each scale 2-! andf22 is .graduatedin terms of temperature, preferably in degrees '.of .Fahrenheit. Illhe casing llisprovided rwith a handle 23 secured to the basel8.v v v The :extension arm ,1! comprises .a tubular metallic member havingnan insulating sleeve 26 secured at .21 inthe end of the same which is mountedron .the housing 11. Encircling the sleeve 25 ,at. spaced locations longitudinally thereof and secured rigidly on the sleeve-hy prick punches 28, or in any other suitable or preferred manner, ,are a pair: of metallic collector .rings 29 and 30. .These collector rings .29 and .30 are insulated from one anotheriand from the tubular arm l I .by the sleeve 25. -Ametallic terminahmember 32 (Figure 2) .is .fittedrin the sleeve 2 6 and secured therein by a screw 33. This terminalwmember 32 has an in-. tegralreducedzand externally threaded stud 34 which extends out axially from the adjacent end of the extension, arm and has a thumb nut 35 threaded thereon.

The lead 'wires [36v and .31; which electrically connect theparticular thermocouplemounted on the outer endtof the extension arm [I to the indicator |0, extend through the tubular arm ,I'l andare, insulated from this arm and from each other in. any suitable or preferred manner. Ingthe illustrated embodiment of the invention, these wires 36 and 31 extend through openings 38 and 39 in.a small diameter'insulator 4'0 whichmay be formed ,ofporcelain or. other suitable "insulating material, This insulator 40 is shown of circular section, and extends substantially throughout the length of the tubular arm ll. At one end, the wire .35 passes out from the adjacent end of 'the insulator 40, transversely through the wall of the insulatingsleeve 26, and is connectedat 4'I *tothe collectorringzfi. The adjacent end of 'the other wiretl passes out lengthwise 'fromthe' insulator 4B, and is connected at 42 tothe'terminal member 32. @As'hort tubular insulator 4-3, of the usual fabric insulation or other suitable insulating material, surrounds the wire 31 between the terminal member 32 and the adjacent end of the insulator 40.

Disposed within the outer end of the insulating sleeve 26 and coiled about the terminal stud 34, or otherwise suitably disposed, is a resistance element 45. One endof this resistance element 45 is connected at 46 to the terminal stud 34, and the other end extends out transversely through a suitable opening in the wall of the sleeve 26 and is connected at 41 to the collector ring 30. An insulating washer may be provided at 48.- The thumb nut 35 is operable to short circuit the resistance element 45, thereby connecting the lead wire 31 directly to the collector ring 30 through the terminal member 32 for low temperature readings on the scale 22. or to connect the wire 31 to the collector ring 30 through the resistance element 45 for high temperature readings on the scale 2|. e v V I When the nut 35 is outofcontact with the adjacent end of the collector ring .3U,jfor example, in the position shown in Figure 2, the circuit from the wire 31 is through the terminal member 32 and resistance element 45tothe collector ring 313, but when the nut 35 ;is threaded up into contact with the ring 30, asshown in dotted lines in Figure z the circuit; isfromthe wire 31 and throu h the terminal" member 32 and nut .35. directly to the collector ringv 3D,..short circuiting the resistance element 45. 'I'he outer end .of the terminal stud). has an axial threaded opening into which a headed screw, 50. is threaded. the headof the screw 50 constituting a stop for limiting the outward threading movement of the nut 35on the stud 34 to prevent unintentional displacement of the'nut 35 from the stud 34.

For the purpose of mounting the extension arm H on theindicatonhousing complementary insulating mounting blocks 52 and 53. are provided. The block 52 isri idly secured to the underdside of the insulating base l8. and has aIpair of semi circular grooved portions. A pair of semi-circular metallic collector ringjparts 54 and .55 are posiioned in spaced relation in these grooved portionsand insulated. one from the other, by the block 52. These collector ringparts 54 and 55 are connectedto the respective terminals of the meter coil (not shown) and are rigidly'secured in. place in the block 52. .Apair of threaded posts 56,. extending from the block- 52. pass loosely through openings in the other block '53. and thumb nuts 51 are threaded upon the outer ends of these osts 56. As shown in. Figure}. screws 58 are threaded into the outer ends of the'posts '5 and constitute stops for limitin theoutward threadin movement of the nuts 51.

The block 53 has a pair ofsemi-circular grooved portions which are com lementary to the grooved portions in the block 52. and a pair of semi-circular collector rin parts-6D and GI "are positioned in s aced elation in these rooved portions "in the'block 53. These collector'ringpartsfill and F! areinsulated from each other by the block53 and are complementary to and. iniegistratibn withthe collector ring parts 54 and 55. Theinrerna diameters of the depressions in the blocks 52 and 53 between the collector ring parts-54 and 55 and 60 and GI. respectivelyare preferably less than the'internal'diameters of the collector ring parts to present raisedintermediate insulating portions 62 which fit between the collector rings Hand 30 on the extension arm H when the end of this arm with these rings is inserted between the inserted end of the extension arm so that the collector rings on the extension arm meet and properly contact the collector rings in the blocks 52 and 53.

The extension arm H is attached or mounted on the indicator ill by loosening the thumb nuts 51 and separating the block 53 from the block 52 sufliciently to permit the adjacent end of the arm I I to be readily placed between the blocks 52 and The end of the arm ll, equipped with the collector rings 29 and 30, is then inserted between i .the blocks 52 and 53 so that the collector rings 29 .and 30 are in position to meet and contact with the collector ring parts 54, 60, and 55, 6|, respectively. The block 53 is then pushed down, and the'arm ll may be turned about its axis to the position desired, whereupon the thumb nuts 51. are tightened to clamp the arm H rigidly in place to the instrument with the circuit complete'dbetween the collector rings 29 and 30 and the coil of the meter mechanism within the housing'll. -By loosening the thumb nuts 51, the extension'arm may be turned about its'axis' to different angular positions or readily removed from the indicating'instrument and handle unit of the device for insertion in ajcarrying case.

The outer end of the arm I1 is providedwith a yoke or fork'65 for receiving any of the various types of thermocouples. This yoke. 65 comprises, as shown in Figure 1, a pair of L'-shaped' metallic members 66 and 61 having apertured bases 68 and 69 respectively. These members 66 and 61 are assembled and insulated from each other by insulation 10 which may be mica or other suitable insulation. Mica, Bakelite,- or other suitable insulation at 12 insulates thebase 68 of 'the l i-shaped fork'member 66 from the adjacent end of the arm I I, and the fork members are secured rigidlyin place on the outer end of the arm H. The lead'wires 36 and 31 extend from the outer end of the insulator 4c and are connectedby screws andlcooperating nut members, one to each of the fork members 66 and '61. The fork 55 thus constitutes not only a mechanical fork for supporting the various thermocouples but also an electrical fork through which thevarious thermocouples applied thereto areconnected electrically to the lead wires 36 and 31. This eliminates the necessity for pigtail connections and the like, and is a distinct advantage. i r The particular thermocouple I2 shown applied to the fork 65 is for temperatures of either metallic or non-metallic surfaces, whether the surface is soft or hard, clean or coated. It is especially suitable for plastic or rubber molds, platens, plates, glassware, walls or other relatively fiat surfaces. The unique construction reduces conduction loss to a minimum and gives maximum accuracy. I The thermocouple l2 comprises a mounting base consisting of an Lshaped metallic member 82 and a flat metallic member 83 insulated from each other by a fiber, Bakelite. or other suitable insulating block 84 disposed therebetween. Mica or other suitable insulation at 85 insulates the apertured base of the member 82 from the adjacent end of the" member 83. The member 82 is secured to the block 84 by screws not shown) The member 83 is similarly secured to the block 84'from the opposite sideby screws (not shown). 7 The thermocouple mountin base isfpivotally' secured between the projecting legs of the fork 65 by coaxial screws 90. These screws have heads :at :their outer ends, and, adjacent said heads, have cylindrical portions which in "in openings in the projecting legs of the fork '65. The reduced diameter inner endso'f these screws 95 are threaded and have threaded engagement with correspondingly threaded openings in the metallic members 82 and 83 of the thermocouple mounting 'base. Phosphor bronze '01 other suitable "washers, "between-the *heads of the screws .95 and the legs of the fork 55, provide frictiontight joints which permit "turning movement of the thermocouple base about the cylindrical portions of the screws 90 and frictionally hold the base of the thermocouple in the different angular positions to which it is turned.

The angular fork member 55 of the yoke 65 is preferably provided with a plus marking, and the angular member 82 of the thermocouple base.is likewise preferably provided with a plus marking, or the parts are otherwise suitably marked to make sure that the thermocouple is properly applied to the yoke 65. If the thermocouple were applied with its plus side in contact with the minus side of the yoke 65, the instrument would read backwards.

The tip of the thermocouple 12 comprises a small diameter insulating tip 98 formed of percelain or other insulating material which will withstand the high temperatures to which the device is subjected. The insulating tip 98, shown of circular section, is cemented or otherwise suitably secured in a metallic tip holder 990i tubular form and provided with an annular base flange I at its inner end. A disc Illl of platinum, gold, or other suitable material, secured in place at the outer end of the tip 98 constitutes the hot junction of the thermocouple.

The lead wires for the thermocouple extend through openings in the insulating tip 98 and are insulated from one another by this tip. The outer ends of these wires are welded or otherwise suitably joined to the disc Ifll. These wires pass through openings in a clamping plate I06 and in the base of the angular member 82 and extend through suitable openings in the insulating block 84 and are turned out and welded or otherwise connected at their opposite ends, one to the metallic base member 82 and the other to the metallic base member 83. Thus, when the base member of the thermocouple is applied to the yoke 65, the contact between the yoke members- 66 and 61 and the base members 82 and 83 completes the circuit between the last mentioned lead wires and the lead wires 36 and 31.

The tip of the thermocouple is supported an appropriate distance from the base of the thermocouple by two hairpin or U-shaped wires H preferably formed of steel wire, piano wire, or the like, so that they will be .of great strength, and at the same time may be of small dimension. These wires H5 conduct very little heat, and at the same time they are yieldable to an extent so that the thermocouple will adapt itself to the surface to which it is applied.

The device of the present invention is provided with a carrying case designated in its entirety at 2!!! in Figures 3 and 4. This case 210 has a cover mina tes short of one end or :the case to provide a space at 2 M3 to receive the thermocouple 12 by disposingthe same at right angles to the arm H. *In this'way, the thermocouple need not be disconnected-irom the arm "H ,but maybecarried in the case pivotally connected 'tothe end 'of the arm M. It *isto-be understood, however, that the thermocouple may be disconnected from the arm and carried in one ;of the compartments of the 2|! hinged thereto at Hz and provided with suitable latch devices 2l4 for latching the cover closed.

The interior of the case 2I0 is provided with a longitudinally extending partition 2l5' forming a narrow longitudinally extending compartment 2H5 within which the extension arm II is supported on supports 2 I I. The partition 2 I 5 tercase separately'from the 'arm H. The cover-2ll has ablockiZZfl which engages the extension arm H intermediate "its ends when'the cover-is "closed, and holds the extension arm firmly in place.

Extending transversely between the partition 2I5 and the opposite wall 22! of the case is a transverse block 222 and a transverse partition 223-. The block 222 has an angular bracket 224 secured thereto, and the upstanding leg of this bracket has a metallic post 225 secured to the bracket by a screw 226. The post 225 is pointed at 221 and is formed to fitbetween the block 52 and 55 of the instrument In in contact with the collector ring parts 60, 54 and 6 I, 55, thereby connecting these collector ring parts and short circuiting or closing the circuit of the meter coil when the instrument In is placed in the case on the post' 225 as shown. This short circuiting or closing of the circuit of the meter coil dampens oscillation of the pointer 20. The partition 223 has a notched opening 230 for receiving the handle 23.

The post 225 is grooved at 23l to receive the reduced diameter intermediate portions 52 of the blocks 52 and 53, so that these reduced intermediate portions will not prevent the collector fit in the groove 23i, the thumb nuts 51 are tightened to clamp the instrument and ,handle unit firmly in place mechanically on the post 225 with the collector ring parts 60, 54 and BI, 55 in contact with the post for the purpose above described.

' The interior, of the case, together with the partitions 2l5 and 223, the blocks 220 and 222, and the supports 211, is preferably felt covered or otherwise suitably finished, and the outside of the case may be finished as desired. A carrying handle is provided at 245. The compartments 234 and 235 are adapted for the reception of the various forms of thermocouples for employment with the arm H. A socket tool 236 is provided for application to the heads of the screws for removing and applying these screws in applying the different thermocouples. At the end opposite the end provided with the socket for application cured therein, and a metallic post secured tobe mounted on carrying case having an indicator supporting member engageable with said terminal connector for mechanically supporting the indicator in the case, said indicator supporting member including conducting means adapted when engaged with the terminal connector of the indicator to interconnect .the terminals thereof, thereby short circuiting the coil of the indicator for the purpose of dampening vibration of the pointer of the indi- 10 cator.

JOHN A. OBERMAIER. 

